Suspended overpass



FIG; 1

April 26, 1966 w. w. PLEASANTS 3,247,539

SUSPENDED OVERPAS S Filed Aug. 22, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 d' 5 il i I u.:e n

April 26, 1966 w. w. PLEAsANTs SUSPENDED OVERPASS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledAug. 22, 1962 INVENTOR. WIW/am Elf/fwn@ @Je 62,1 N

April 26, 1966 w. w. PLEAsANTs 3,247,539

SUSPENDED OVEBPAS S Filed Aug. 22, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR IWI/lmiff/:willig BY 62h19 d @A April 25 1956 `w. w. PLAsAN-rs 3,247,539

` SUSPENDED ovERPAss Filed Aug. 22, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 u FIG- 5 :erV- 74 Q A TTBIYEYJ.

United States-Paghi: e"

,y Y. i 3,247,539

. SUSPENDED GVERPASS Y William'W. Pleas'nts', 536 HanselIRo'ad,Wynnewood, Pa. Filed Aug. 22, 19,62, Ser. No. 218,717 4 Claims. (Cl.14n-19)VV This invention relates generally toi bridges and particulanlyto improvements in overpas'ses for `facilitating the movement ofvehicles 'at the intersection of a plurality of thorough-fares;

Various overpassesl have been proposed for facilitating movement-ofvehicles at street intersections in urban areas where space is' at avpremium and: disturbance of existing construction is impractical.However, these overpasses have not been entirely satisfactory Becausethey are too costly, take .an inordinate length-of time to design andbuild and occupytoo much' space. In addition, the structures commonlyare supported uponl members' that riset from the street pavement',- inAconsequence of which street area is removed' from servicel where' it isneeded most, and visibility is reduced at a critical point'inv theintersection. Accordingly, animportant object of the invention is toprovide anoverpass characterized by a ground supported frameworkbridging both streets atthe intersection and having suspended therefrom:an elevated overpass sect-ion extending across said intersection;y

Another object is to provide such lan overpass Wherein the groundsupported :framework is characterized by interconnectedY members eacharching diagonally over the intersection and havingcables dependingtherefrom for supporting said overpass" section.

Another object is to provide such an overpass with ramps at yboth endsofand' furnishing approaches from street level to said elevated overpasssection;

Other objects of the invention willV becomeapparent when the followingdescription isl read withl reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an overpass embodying the invention anderected ata street intersection;l

FIGURE 2 is an elevation of the overpass shown in FIGUREGI';

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged section online 1li-III of FIGURE 2.; Y

FIGURE 4 is a section on line IV-IV of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the ground supported framework fromwhich the overpass section is suspended; Y

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged plan view at the crown of the ground supportedframework; p Y

FIGURE 7 is a section on line VII-VII of FIGURE-6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged elevation at the foot ofthe ground' supportedframework, as indicated by line VIII- VIII ofFIGURE 5';V

FIGURE 9 is an elevation at the foot of the ground supported framework,as indicated by line lX-IX of FIGURE 8;v

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged section on line X-X of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 11 -is an enlarged section on line XI-XI of FIGURE 1.

Referring tothe vdrawings and particularly to vFIGURE 2, the bridgeembodying the present invention comprises a ground supported frame,generally designated 1l), fully spanning a: street intersection, anelevated Voverpass secf tion 11 suspended vfrom theframe 10, and tworamps, generally designated 12, providing approaches to the overpasssection 1-1 from street level.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 5 to 9, the ground supported frameworkcomprises an arched member, generally designated 14, which issubstantially semicircular. The member 14 includes a rolled ysection 16having l3,247,539 Patented Apr.- 26, 1966 parallel flanges 18interconnected by a web 20. At the foot of' section 16' is ahorizontally extending plate 22, and at the hea'd of section 16' is` an'upright plate 24. Aliixed to the plate 24 are a pair of verticallyspaced horizotally extending connection plates 26, and aixed .to theplatev 22` and depending therefrom is an upright connection plate 28;

The arched mernber 14 also includes a second rolled 'section 30havingparallel iarrges 32 interconnected by a web 34. At .the fobt of section'3l) is Ia horizontally ex'- tending plate 36; and at the head of section30 is an upright plate 38. Aliixed to the plate 38 is a horizont-allyextending connection' plate 40 sandwiched between the connection plate26, and atixed to thev plate 36 and depending there-from isV a`connection plate 28.

lThe ground supported framework 10 also comprises.l an arched member,generally designated 44, which is su-bstantially semicircular. Themember 44 includes a rolled section 46 having parallelY anges das'interconnected by a web 5U. At the foot of section" 45 is a horizontallyextending plate 52, and at the: head of section 46A is an upright plate$41 Afxed to theplate 54 are a pair of vertically 'spaced' horizontallyextending connection plates 56, and affixed tothe plate 52 and dependingtherefrom is a' connectionl plate 2,8'.

The arched member 44A also includes a rolled'section 60having-parallel'flanges i2-'interconnected by a web 64. At the footofsectionV 60 is a horizontally extending plate 66, and Iat the head ofsection 60 is an upright plate 68. Axed' to. the plate 68A isza'horizontally extending connection plate'70sandwichedbetweenthe'connection'pilates', andaffixed to the plate 66 and dependingtherefromY is a connection plate 28.

At 'the crownof thegframe a connection pin, designated 74, extendsdownwardly through aligned openings in the horizontally extendingconnection plates 26, 40, 56 and 7,0: Extending through the lower endportion of the pin 74 is-a retainer pin 76.

At each'foot'of the frame is a shoe including a horizontally extendingsole plate 78 anchored to'the ground and provided with laterally spacedupstanding ears Si) having-the plate 28 sandwiched therebetween.'Extending through aligned openings in the ears and the plate 28 is apin82, and extending through one end portion of the pin 82 is a retainerpin 84.

sections 30 and 60, a cable 90 opposite end portions 'of'Y whichare'aiiixed respectively to arch sections 16 and 6l), and a cable 92opposite end portions of which are aixed respectively to arch sections30 and 46.

A-t anv intermediate level, between grade andthe set of cables mentionedhereinabove, is a network of cables including `a cable 94' opposite endporti-ons of'which are aflixedfrespectively to the arch `sections :16and 46, a cable 96 opposite end portions of which are aflixedrespectively to the arch sections 30and 60, a cable 9S opposite endportionsV of which are affixed respectively to the arch sections 16 and`60, a `cablellltl opposite end portions of which are -aiiixedlrespectively to the arch4 sections 30 and 46, a cable 102 opposite endportions of which are conf nected respectively to the archV sections 46Vand'tl and a cable A104 oppositeend4 portions `of which areconnectedrespectively Ito the arch sections v16 and 301 Referring particularly toAFIGURES 1 to 4 and 1v1, the overpass section 111V includestwoonelaneunits disposed sideby side, respectively designatedy 106' and 10S. Theunits i106 and 108 are similar, in consequence of which a description ofthe unit 106 will sulice also for a description of the unit 108. Theunit 106 comprises a deck plate 11G Iformed into a series oftransversely extending parallel troughs. Extending along each side ofthe deck plate and disposed at an angle of 4approximately 45 degreesrelative to the horizontal is a curb plate 112. Deposited upon the dec-kplate is a paving material, for example, blacktop, designated 114,forming the road bed. The deck plate, curb plates and blacktop assemblyis cradled in an open framework of piping providing a railing 116 oneach side. The top rail 118 terminates at each end in an end post 120which, at its lower end turns inwardly, as at 122, along the curb plate.The turned in portions of the end posts respectively on opposite sidesand at each end of the unit are connected by a cross tie portion 124underlying the deck plate. Intermediate posts, designated 126, havelower end portions turned inwardly, as at 128, along the curb plates,and the turned in portions of corresponding intermediate postsrespectively on opposite sides of the unit are connected by a cross -tieportion 130.

Suitably connected to the crown of the framework 11 are a cable 132 anda pair of cables 134. The cable .132 extends vertically downwardly andthe cables 134 diverge downwardly, on the inner side of the unit 196.Each of the cables extends through the inner top rail 118 and downwardlythrough an intermediate post 126, where it is suitably atiixed. Aixedrespectively to the arch sections 16 and 46 and extending verticallydownwardly therefrom are a pair of cables v136, on the outer side of theunit 106. `Each of the cables 136 extends downwardly through the outerVtop rail 118 and through an intermediate post 126, where it is suitablyaixed.

Referring particularly to FIGURES l, 2, and '11, the ramp 12 at each endof the 4overpass section '11 comprises a one lane up ramp part and a onelane down ramp part. These ramp parts are similar, in consequence ofwhich a description of one part will suice for a description of both.The -up ramp part comprises a head unit 142 and a foot unit .144. Again,the units 142 and 144 are similar, in consequence of which a descriptionof the unit 142 will suice also for a description of the unit `144. Thehead unit 142 comprises a deck plate 146 formed into a series of'transversely extending parallel troughs. Extending along each side ofthe deck plate and disposed at an angle of approximately 45 degreesrelaytive thereto is a curb plate 148. Deposited upon the deck plate isblackto-p, designated 150, to provide a suitable road bed. The deckplate, curb plates and blacktop `assembly is cradled in an open`framework of piping providing -a railing 152 on each side. The top rail154 terminates at each end in an end post 156 which, at its lower end,turns inwardly, as at 158, alongrthe curb plate. The turned `in portionsof the end posts respectively on opposite sides and at each end of theunit are connected by a cross -tie portion 160 underlying the deckplate. Intermediate posts, designated 162, have lower end portionsturned inwardly, as at 164, along the curb plates, and the turned inportions of corresponding intermediate posts respectively on oppositesides of the unit are connected by a cross tie portion 166. e

At the juncture of the foot and head units is an upright groundsupported bent 168 comprising laterally spaced posts 170, a cross tie172 at the `foot of the bent, a cross tie 174 at the head of the bentand a pair of braces 176. Extending across the upper portion ofthe bentare a pair of cross cables 178. Diverging downwardly from the top of thebent, on each side ofthe up and down ramps, are a set of cables 180,182, 184 and 186. Each of the cables 18@ and 182 extends through theassociated top railing 1.54 of the head unit 142 and downwardly throughan intermedi-ate post 162, where it is'suitably atiixed. Each of thecables 184 and 186 extends through the associated top railing 154 of thefoot unit 144 and downwardly through an intermediate post 162, where itis suitablyalixedf Referring particularly to FIGURE ll, the terminalportion of each deck plate is turned upwardly to form a flange 188 and-bridging the opposed end portions of adjacent units is a suitable plate190.

The bridge embodying the invention is not intended to provide fullclover leaf separation, but merely to elevate two lanes of through traicon a minor street where it intersects a major street. In addition, it isnot intended to handle trucks, which constitute ra fairly smallpercentage of total traic volume at most intersections and can best behandled at grade.

Referring to FIGURE 1, the intersection may consist, for example, of amajor street running north and south and a minor street running east andwest. There are four lanes of travel in each street, as indicated byarrows. On the major street, right-hand turns are made at grade from theoutside lane and left-hand turns are made at grade from the inside lane.On the minor street, all turns are made from grade from the outsidelane, the inside lanes being reserved for through traflic by way of theover'pass structure of the invention. Thus there is complete freedom formaking right turns or left turns at grade from either street and fromany direction.

The structure of the invention preferably is made entirely of steel, andthe whole assembly may be installed at an intersection in one days time.Since there is no excavation and no concrete required for itsconstruction, there is no disruption of traflic and no changes necessaryin existing pavement, curbing, sidewalks, etc. If the need for it ceasesto exist at one intersection, the structure may be easily relocated atanother intesection at a very low cost.

It will be noted that lateral support for the arches is obtained in twoways. First, at the apex, where the arches provide lateral support foreach other. Second, by the cables at the intermediate level and at theupper level. In this way each arch is supported laterally at a pluralityof levels.

By way of emphasis, certain features should be noted: The overpassstructure is suspended from overhead so that there are no supports -inthe traic lanes in the intersection area. This eliminates thepossibility of vehicles running into the bridge supports, and eliminatesany obstruction of visibility between vehicles entering theintersection. The structure can be used as a temporary structure duringpermanent construct-ion, or it may be put to other temporary uses, atresorts,.athletic events, conventions, fairs, etc. The structure issuspended from two semicircular steel arches which cross each other atthe apex in the middle of the intersection to form a cross frame in planview. Each foot or base of each arch rests upon the sidewalk and thecrowns of the arches are secured together so that each gives the otherlateral support. This configuration provides maximum flexibility in thata pair of standard sizearches may be arranged at various angles relativeto each other to fit a variety of widths of streets.V The structureincorporates a novel roadway design which utilizes three commonmaterials in la new arrangement which minimizes the vertical distancerequired between the road surface above and the clearance line below. Itis important to minimize vertical distance because this controls thelength of the ramp required. A convenient ramp slope is 6.4 to l, inconsequence of which every foot eliminated from the vertical distancereduces ramp length by 6.4 feet and the overall ramp structure by 12.8feet. The structure utilizes a -novel 'curb design which consists of aheavy steel plate set at a 45-degree angle. This plate has a twofoldfunction. First, it performs the normal function of a curb, namely,controlling the pathof travel of a vehicle. The plate has a smoothsurface which means that an automobile wheel will not climb it but willmerely slide along. Second, it performs a structural function in tyingtogether the ends of the sections of steel decking and giving themrigidity. The guard rail is used to transmit tension from the cablesdown under the roadway and also acts as a truss to lend rigidity to theoverall assembly. The structure may be made up of tive identical Aunitsfor each lane of travel for a -total of ten units for a complete twolane overpass. These units may be fabricated in quantity at low cost in-a central Iplant. By utilizing a number of identical sections, it ispossible to vary the combination of them to tit many difieren-t traflicsituations. For example, one situation might dict-ate that only one lanebe elevated. In `another situation the minor street may be on a hill andonly Ione ramp section on one side and three on the other might berequired. y

It will be understood, of course, that the present invention, asdescribed and shown, is susceptible to various changes and modicationswhich may be made without any departure from the general principles orreal spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended to claim thepresent invent-ion broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a structure for facilitating the movement of vehicles at theintersection of a pair of thoroughfares crossing substantially at rightangles, the combination comprising a rigid framework including a pair offrame members each having opposite end portions supported upon andanchored to the ground without said thoroughfares, and each archingdiagonally over said intersection, means interconnecting said framemembers at the crown of said framework whereby each of said membersbraces the other against lateral movement, an overpass section parallelto one of said thoroughfares, means fully and freely suspending saidoverpass section directly from said framework above said intersection,and ramp means from said one thoroughfare to said overpass sectionproviding an approach to and an exit from said overpass section.

2. In a structure for facilitating the movement of vehicles at theintersection of a pair of thoroughfares crossing substantially at rightangles, the combination comprising a rigid framework including a pair offrame members each having opposite end portions supported upon theground without said thoroughfares, and each arching diagonally over saidintersection with one of said frame members passing under the other,means interconnecting the mutually overlying crown portions of saidframe members so that each of said members braces the other againstlateral movement, an overpass section parallel to one of saidthoroughfares, means fu-lly and freely suspending said overpass sectiondirectly -from said framework above said intersection, and ramp meansfrom said one thoroughfare to said overpass section providing anapproach to and exit from said overpass section.

3. In a structure for facilitating the movement of vehicles at theintersection of a pair of thoroughfares crossing substantially at rightangles, the combination comprising a ground supported rigid frameworkfully spanning said intersection in both directions, an overpass sectionincluding a pair of single lane units disposed side by side and parallelto one of said thoroughfares, each of said units including a deck platehaving a series of corrugations extending transversely thereof, a pairof upright curb plates extending along said deck plate and aflixedrespectively to the opposite side edges thereof, a layer of pavingmaterial fully covering said deck plate from curb plate to curb plate,and means having said deck plate seated thereon, each extending parallelto said corrugations and disposed between an adjacent pair thereof andcradling said deck and curb plates and the paving material carriedthereby, means aixed to each of said cradling means and fully and freelysuspending each of said single lane units directly from said frameworkabove said intersection, and ramp means providing an approach to and anexit from each of said single lane units.

4. In a structure for facilitating the movement of vehicles at theintersection of a pair of thoroughfares crossing substantially at rightangles, the combination comprising a ground supported rigid frameworkfully spanning said intersection in both directions, an overpass sectionincluding a plurality of single lane units disposed side by side andparallel to one of said thoroughfares, ramp sections for each of saidsingle lane units providing an approach to said unit and an exittherefrom, said overpass single lane units and said ramp single laneunits all being substantially identical and each including a deck plate,a pair of curb plates aixed to `said deck plate and extending upwardlytherefrom, and paving material overlying said deck plate, land meansfully and freely suspending each of said overpass single lane unitsdirect-ly from said framework above said intersection.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 146,397 1/1874Long 14-74 X 160,650 3/1875 Cornell 104-124 2,050,313 8/ 1936 Growdon14-73 2,363,767 11/1944 Yassin 94-1 X 2,960,704 ll/ 1960 Stoltenburg14-18 FOREIGN PATENTS 544,038 l/ 1956 Belgium. 558,052 6/ 1957 Belgium.

9,854 4/ 1901 Great Britain. 348,722 5 193 1 Great Britain. 368,689 2/1939 Italy.

JACOB L. NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Examiner.

D. R. COMUZZI, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN A STRUCTURE FOR FACILITATING THE MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES AT THEINTERSECTION OF A PAIR OF THOROUGHFARES CROSSING SUBSTANTIALLY AT RIGHTANGLES, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A RIGID FRAMEWORK INCLUDING A PAIR OFFRAME MEMBERS EACH HAVING OPPOSITE END PORTIONS SUPPORTED UPON ANDANCHORED TO THE GROUND WITHOUT SAID THOROUGHFARES, AND EACH ARCHINGDIAGONALLY OVER SAID INTERSECTIONS, MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID FRAMEMEMBERS AT THE CROWN OF SAID FRAMEWORK WHEREBY EACH OF SAID MEMBERSBRACES THE OTHER AGAINST LATERAL MOVEMENT, AN OVERPASS SECTION PARALLELTO ONE OF SAID THOROUGHFARES, MEANS FULLY AND FREELY SUSPENDING SAIDOVERPASS SECTION DIRECTLY FROM SAID FRAMEWORK ABOVE SAID INTERSECTION,AND RAMP MEANS FROM SAID ONE THOROUGHFARE TO SAID OVERPASS SECTIONPROVIDING AN APPROACH TO AN EXIT FROM SAID OVERPASS SECTION.